東京にいるアメリカ人

Golf Lesson Journey Part 6 at ゴルフスクール『サンクチュアリ』

Mon, 25 Nov 2013 22:00:00 +0900

Well, this is my last entry for my time at Golf Sanctuary!

I feel like I've learned a lot in my last 3 months here.

I've been able to drive the ball further (at least on screen!)

My last lesson, I was able to hit my driver the best of the last 3 months!

I even started to get some help on my approach. It was the first time for me to learn how to hit a proper approach shot. You've got to choke up on the club, and move your feet in closer than a regular shot.

Practice for 20 yards, 30 yards, and 40 yards. The difference between each is how far your backswing goes. I think I need more practice!

I don't know if I'm ready for the course quite yet, but I can say that I've renewed my interest in golf over these past 3 months, and have a new enthusiasm for improving my game.

Maybe I'll see you on the course someday!

Golf Sanctuary Roppongi

Address: Roppongi Art Shell 6-7F, Roppongi 7-4-4, Minato-ku, Tokyo

Open Mon-Sat 06:00-24:00, Sun 0600-2000

ゴルフスクール『サンクチュアリ』

東京都港区六本木7-4-4

六本木アートシェル6階・7階(7階受付)

月～土 07:00-24:00

日 07:00-20:00

電話番号 03-6434-0808

Golf Lesson Journey Part 5 at ゴルフスクール『サンクチュアリ』

Thu, 21 Nov 2013 19:14:00 +0900

Well, I'm in my last month of lessons as an Ambassador at Sanctuary Roppongi, so I'd best make the most of it!

For the first time I was introduced to another tool to help improve my swing. I don't know what its called, but it helps to let you swing without trying to put a lot of strength into your swing -- something I have problems with!

As you can see from the picture, it looks kind of like a baseball bat, and its weighted like one too. The idea is to just let it fall down and just not get in the way.

Yeah, that's right...just swing it like a regular club. No need to use a ball though!

After trying that out, my 7-iron seemed to flow much more smoothly -- thanks for the tip!

Golf Sanctuary Roppongi

Address: Roppongi Art Shell 6-7F, Roppongi 7-4-4, Minato-ku, Tokyo

Open Mon-Sat 06:00-24:00, Sun 0600-2000

ゴルフスクール『サンクチュアリ』

東京都港区六本木7-4-4

六本木アートシェル6階・7階(7階受付)

月～土 07:00-24:00

日 07:00-20:00

電話番号 03-6434-0808

My Golf Lesson Journey Part 4 at ゴルフスクール『サンクチュアリ

Thu, 31 Oct 2013 19:20:00 +0900

Lately, I've been taking my lessons at night...nice view after dark too!

All I have now is irons, a putter, and a driver, and lately I've been using a utility club in my lessons, switching back and forth from the utility, a driver, and a 7-iron.

I think I'm getting used to the utility. At first I didn't know how to swing it...I was holding it too far to the left, like this.

Yano-san helped me out this time -- he showed me that I should hold it closer in to the right, so it was pointing towards the right of my left hip, more like this one.

I was also using the machine to try to get the longest shot I could -- thinking back to my high-school physics, the optimum angle was 45 degrees, but it seems for golf its more like 11-20 degrees (my longest seems to have been the one in the middle). Pretty good I guess, but I still want to study up some more!

After some getting used to the new swing, and some other tips, I was hitting it pretty good...I think I may just have to pick one of these up for myself!

Oh, and let me know if you'd like to try out the lessons!

Golf Sanctuary Roppongi

Address: Roppongi Art Shell 6-7F, Roppongi 7-4-4, Minato-ku, Tokyo

Open Mon-Sat 06:00-24:00, Sun 0600-2000

ゴルフスクール『サンクチュアリ』

東京都港区六本木7-4-4

六本木アートシェル6階・7階(7階受付)

月～土 07:00-24:00

日 07:00-20:00

電話番号 03-6434-0808

My Golf Lesson Journey Part 3 at ゴルフスクール『サンクチュアリ

Tue, 29 Oct 2013 19:16:00 +0900

Yes, I'm still working hard at my golf game -- not given up yet!

My second month of lessons at Golf Sanctuary, and my work here has taken on new significance -- I'm now preparing for my course (re-)debut!

Yes, that's right, my lessons here have given me new motivation to get back on the course, and I'll be going out on November 23 -- just around the corner!

I'm trying to get over this feeling that I need to use a bunch of power when I swing -- the instructors have been helping me to try to let the club do the work for me.

While the driving range is good for seeing direction (left and right), this thing tells me something I can't know at the driving range -- how fast my clubhead is moving! My best with a 7-iron was 47 m/s or so, but anything over 40 m/s is good for me -- still haven't been able to consistently get it higher (by the way, the instructor was getting over 50!).

I also got another good tip -- I've been dropping my club way to far behind the ball, so one instructor (thank you again Ikita-san!) suggested I put a piece of paper in front of the ball. If the ball moves, I'm dropping my club too far behind the ball. I couldn't believe I was actually hitting that far behind! I saw instant improvement after that...and now I'm trying to do the same without the paper!

Oh, and if you're interested in some lessons yourself, let me know and I can get you a free one.

Golf Sanctuary Roppongi

Address: Roppongi Art Shell 6-7F, Roppongi 7-4-4, Minato-ku, Tokyo

Open Mon-Sat 06:00-24:00, Sun 0600-2000

ゴルフスクール『サンクチュアリ』

東京都港区六本木7-4-4

六本木アートシェル6階・7階(7階受付)

月～土 07:00-24:00

日 07:00-20:00

電話番号 03-6434-0808

My Zabou Adventure

Fri, 25 Oct 2013 21:34:00 +0900

So, today I went to Zabou in Azabu-juban (there's 2 in Azabu-juban...I went to the Odori shop!)

I don't go to spas or massage at all, so I wasn't sure what to expect. It was easy to find -- right off the main street in Azabu-juban.

They were very organized -- hey, this is Japan, right? There was a form to fill out to explain any parts that were particularly sore or that you want worked on more than others, and areas you wanted them to leave alone. Its even in English for those who don't do the Nihongo thing yet.

The room was mood-lit, with some relaxing music in the background. After changing into the clothes they had ready, its time to begin!

I went for the 45 minute body massage. I haven't been in a while, and with all this work at my PC and time at the gym I figured that my shoulders and legs could use some professional help.

Well, let me just say I felt much better afterwards. A little less tight in the shoulders, and it was definitely relaxing. You even get a free drink afterwards (I went for the pomegranate juice), and she gave me some tips on some stretches I can use to not get so tight in the future.

The staff were very friendly, the place was clean and easy to use, and I definitely felt better afterwards. Will keep it in mind for sure if I'm ever looking out for a massage!

You can also pick up some gift certificates at Amazon and make your friend/wife/girlfriend's day.

Oh, one more thing...if you say that you saw my blog, you can get a free 15 minute "foot spa" （フットスパ）or 5 minute head massage （頭ツボ）！

Tonight's dinner...fried chicken!

Mon, 14 Oct 2013 23:04:00 +0900

We had this growing up in the US too...family recipe.

Always make enough for leftovers. I think I went overboard...this was what was left!

Not too scary

Sun, 06 Oct 2013 21:52:00 +0900

Just getting in the mood for Halloween!

Today's Work

Tue, 01 Oct 2013 00:02:00 +0900

Today I took a day off from work, and worked my second job...househusband. Well, that's not a word, but I'm helping out while my wife is on bed rest...finally, today's work is done!

First Month of Lessons at ゴルフスクール『サンクチュアリ

Mon, 30 Sep 2013 22:22:00 +0900

So, its been a month since I started as a golf ambassador at Golf Sanctuary Roppongi
.

I've been able to make it to eight lessons so far...all with different instructors! Its easy to make an appointment with the instructor of your choice -- the names show up on the online system. I just wanted to try out a lot of different ones!

Every lesson, the instructor makes some notes for me to improve -- and sometimes draws some helpful pictures.

One tip was to hold my club slanted a bit to the left. Each time I get a few tips to work on, so I can start building up some good habits.

The system they have to view replays let's me actually see the things I'm doing wrong. It let's you draw on the screen too -- I need to work on keeping my head from bobbing up & down!

On my 7th lesson, I got some great help from Youichi Ikita
. I've never seen numbers this high...over 183 yards with a 7-iron, and a club head speed of over 38 m/s. Now I just have to get it to go straight!

You can see profiles of all the instructors and staff here
.

Oh, and I've mentioned this before...if you're interested in some lessons yourself, let me know and I can get you a free month.

Golf Sanctuary Roppongi

Address: Roppongi Art Shell 6-7F, Roppongi 7-4-4, Minato-ku, Tokyo

Open Mon-Sat 06:00-24:00, Sun 0600-2000

ゴルフスクール『サンクチュアリ』

東京都港区六本木7-4-4

六本木アートシェル6階・7階(7階受付)

月～土 07:00-24:00

日 07:00-20:00

電話番号 03-6434-0808

Golf School at ゴルフスクール『サンクチュアリ

Tue, 24 Sep 2013 18:30:00 +0900

Since the beginning of September, I've been going to golf lessons at
Golf Sanctuary Roppongi.

The last time I've picked up a club was over 2 years ago, and I've never had an actual lesson before. So, I thought, this was my chance to make my game respectable!

Things I've liked about Sanctuary:
- Lots of instructors
- Can reserve & cancel online
- Can choose your instructor at no extra charge
- 1:3 instructor:teacher ratio let's me get a bit of advice, then practice
- Free rental of equipment, including shoes & gloves
- Every spot comes equipped with a camera to show me my swing afterwards (though my swing is still quite bad so I'd prefer not to have to watch!)
- Nice views of Tokyo!

You can pay by the lesson and you can also choose the unlimited lesson plan.

Oh, and if you happen to be interested to try...I may be able to hook you up with free lessons, so let me know!

Golf Sanctuary Roppongi
Address: Roppongi Art Shell 6-7F, Roppongi 7-4-4, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Open Mon-Sat 06:00-24:00, Sun 0600-2000

ゴルフスクール『サンクチュアリ』
東京都港区六本木7-4-4
六本木アートシェル6階・7階(7階受付)
月～土 07:00-24:00
日 07:00-20:00
電話番号 03-6434-0808